After a five-year hiatus, few expected the band Evanescence to create another CD.

However, after a performance in Brazil last year, front woman Amy Lee realized she missed making music with her band mates.
The release of their self-titled, third studio album on Oct. 11 reflects this yearlong effort.

With the release of “Evanescence,” there is the standard 12 song album available for purchase, as well as the deluxe version, which includes four bonus tracks.
Both CDs are produced by Wind-up Records.

To begin their album they chose the song that was released as their first single from the album, “What You Want.”

This song does exactly what a single should do – preview different elements the listeners can expect from the CD all in one song.

“What You Want” reminds listeners that, unlike most bands today, Evanescence does not use auto tune in replacement of actual singing.
Lee shows off her vocal range, being able to easily switch octaves within seconds.

In addition, she combines harmonies to various sections to add more musical depth to the song, as well as incorporating her band mates’ vocals.
The album in its entirety remains faithful to the band’s old style.

Behind Lee’s powerhouse voice is the soaring complicated riffs of the piano that appear in many of the songs just before the climax of Lee’s vocals.

Besides a short segmented feature of the piano, many songs, such as “Erase This,” include a segment of the song that highlights Lee’s superb piano skills.

However, what gives the band its rocker quality is the sounds of the guitars. Many of the songs begin with the strums of electric guitar.

Even though the two guitarists are different than the original band mates that started Evanescence, they have managed to capture the style that is often associated with them.

In some songs, like “Oceans,” the guitars act as transitions between verses. In other songs, such as “The Other Side,” the guitars act as a driving force for the tempo of the song.

Another element of music that listeners can expect is the pounding force of the drum set.

Many of the songs from the new album have a driving, rhythmic force that can be attributed to Will Hunt, who plays drums on the album.

In the bonus track “Disappear,” the drums help make the song more and more intense, as well as serve as an aid to move the lyrics along.

As the lyrics book states, the band helps write all the songs, with particular attention to lyrics attributed to Lee.

“End of the Dream” shows the powerful lyrics that she manages to pen: “As much as it hurts, ain’t it wonderful to feel? / So go on and break your wings / Follow your heart till it bleeds / as we run towards the end of the dream.”

Overall, the album is a success. A number one album on the Billboard 200 chart for their first week of profits is not a bad start.